Best Home Espresso Machines

Editor’s Choice Winner

SAECO HD8954/47 Philips Xelsis EVO

Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

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When it comes to our editor’s pick on the top espresso machine, every aspects is taken into consideration, not just the espresso it produces. There is no point in having an espresso machine that dispenses top notch coffee that you can sip for 20 minutes, and then spend the next few hours fumbling with maintenance, broken parts or dealing with bad aftersales services. We are looking for a machine that is an all rounder. And boy does the Philips Saeco Xelsis Evo hits every mark on the list! The build quality is superb, cleaning and maintenance is a breeze, and every single cup of coffee it produces are consistently great! The dual chambered removable milk carafe is the perfect example that SAECO listens to its customers and values their feedback on the previous Xelsis model.

Top Pick Winner

DeLonghi ESAM3500.N Magnifica Digital

Super-Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine

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The Delonghi ESAM 3500 Magnifica is one of the most popular choice among consumers to curb their daily espresso needs. And the reason boils down to a single word : Simplicity. Everything about this machine revolves around the idea of user friendliness. The magnifica is so versatile and customizable. Are you the type that needs an extra strong dose of caffeine to kickstart your day or are you the kind with a milder preference? The coffee strength is adjustable to up not 2, not 3, but 5 different levels. That tiny cup of ristretto or espresso shot just doesn’t feel satisfying enough? Just turn it up for the good old classic American coffee. If you are very particular about the amount of milk in your lattes or cappuccinos, the amount of steam/froth can be easily adjusted with the patented single touch milk system! In short, you are bound to be able to pick your perfect poison no matter what type of coffee drinker you are!

Best Value Winner

Gaggia Brera Superautomatic Espresso Machine

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As one of the lowest priced super automatic espresso machines in the market, there’s absolutely no doubt that the Gaggia Brera espresso will give you a run for your money. People choose different machines for different reasons and preferences. If cost plays a significant factor in your selection process, this machine is the perfect answer. Many people might ask, Does the coffee produced from the $400 espresso machine matches up to a $3200 machine? Well, in most cases, Yes. Make no mistake, the low price by no means indicates cheapness and subpar materials. The Gaggia Brera Espresso machine comes with an integrate ceramic burr grinder that brings out the full flavour of your coffee bean, which may not even be present in some of the higher end models!

Choosing the Best Home Espresso Machine

The perfect dose of caffeine is a great way to kick-start your day. As pleasurable as it is to buy your daily double-shot latte from your local coffee shop, brewing your own espresso at the comfort of your home often proves to be a much more rewarding experience.

Not only can you customize your espresso to your exact preference, it is also much less flammable to your pocket. Not to mention the amount of time you can save every morning. But there are a vast selection of espresso machines in the market, each with its own different features and characteristics. From machines capable of formulating fancy espresso cocktails, macchiatos and cappuccinos, to purely espresso makers. How do you go about choosing the best espresso machine for you?

We will take a closer look at different aspects of various espresso machines and discuss on things such as the functions, warranty, water tank size, as well as the stability of the water temperature.

Benefits of drinking coffee

1. It’s really good and keeps you up

Why do you think 30 million people in US drink espresso every day? The number one reason people drink Espresso is because it’s really good. And, it keeps you up in the morning and has always been the best friend to every procrastinator. Espresso is the most famous drink in coffee family and it’s lifechanging experience drinking it. Don’t take my word. Try it yourself.

2. It reduces your chances of Cancer and Parkinson’s disease.

According to Journal of the American Medical Association, espresso can keep you away from the Parkinson’s disease. It can reduce your chances of getting disease by more than half. Unlike other caffeine-rich drinks, coffee can also keep cancer-causing mutations in check and prevent different types of cancer. Including liver, oral, colorectal, and skin cancer(if you’re a woman).

3. It reduces anxiety and keeps your heart healthy

We humans are really complicated when it comes to the matter of the heart. Heart attack, heart failure, cardiac arrest and even more are still on the way. So, what do we do? Well, the recent study shows that “an espresso a day can keep the cardiologist away”. Not just that, espresso can also reduce the risk of anxiety and depression. In the research conducted by Harvard, espresso drinkers were found to be much happier and at the low risk of suicide. It was also found to be increasing the emotional strength of an individual. Next time you are going through the tough breakup, you might as well consider a cup of espresso Instead of tequila.

4. It makes you smarter and stronger

It is proven that caffeine can increase Adenosine sensitivity and instantly make you smarter. I have science on my side on this one. It also increases the amount of adrenaline in the blood and increases your cognitive function, muscle memory, and physical strength too. Every superhero drinks an Espresso.

5. It can reduce the effect of aging.

Espresso is the large source of antioxidants, the nutrients which avoid and delay damage to your body cells. It is also powerhouse packed with many essential nutrients like Riboflavin, Pantothenic Acid, Manganese, Magnesium, and Potassium. These nutrients contain very high number of vitamin B complexes which can reduce the effect of aging and make your skin look younger.

Know which types of the Espresso Machines to Pick

There’s no doubt that people love coffee, but sometimes you want something more. Whereas conventional drip coffee makers use gravity to pass hot water through coffee grounds, espresso is made by forcing a smaller amount through at high pressure. The resultant drink is much more concentrated, offering a richer taste and a more powerful caffeine kick. The first espresso machine was the brainchild of an Italian inventor and entrepreneur named Angelo Moriondo in 1884. Since then, they have undergone a series of innovations that have made them easier to operate. At the same time, the older styles have remained on the market.

These styles can be thought of as differing along two axes. The first is ease of use, and the second is customization and control. As advancements were made in the way that espresso makers were designed, each change offered a different combination of the two; the fact that there are so many different models available today reflects the fact that some people prefer a little more convenience while others prefer a more hands-on approach. Wedge Espresso Machines will give overview of the four basic types of espresso machines, in order to help you decide which one is right for you.

Steam Espresso Machines

For hardcore aficionados, it doesn’t get much more authentic than espresso made using steam power. When Moriondo built the first models, steam power was animating everything from trains to boats, and even some automobiles. Steam has a higher volume than the same amount of water. As water boils in a sealed container, pressure builds up. If the steam is then given a small outlet, it will erupt through that outlet, creating a force that can power machines, or make a tasty cup of espresso.
Steam-powered espresso machines offer two advantages. The first is that you have control over the entire espresso-making process; you choose how much coffee is used, how much it is tamped down, and how long it is brewed. The second is that they are inexpensive, being comparatively low-tech and generally featuring no moving parts. The ECM160 Espresso Machine by Mr. Coffee is a good example, only costing around $40.
The disadvantage is that the amount of pressure afforded by steam-powered machines isn’t quite as high as that available in more advanced models, and therefore the espresso isn’t as strong. But if you’re new to the world of espresso and don’t want to invest a whole lot of money, a steam-powered machine is probably the way to go.

Manual Espresso Machines

Though steam-powered espresso machines were first, “authentic” espresso to many means that made by a manual, or piston-powered, machines. The first manual espresso makers came onto the scene in 1938 thanks to another Italian inventor named Achille Gaggia, who started the appliance company that is still in operation today. The basic design replaces steam pressure with that delivered by hand via a lever. This is where the colloquialism “pulling a shot” originated.
While the switch from steam-power to arm-power may seem like a step backward technologically, the fact is that it generates more pressure and, therefore, a stronger, higher-quality product. The sacrifice, of course, is in ease of use; it takes a lot of strength to operate. Another trade-off is that manual espresso makers a bit more expensive. The 11400 Achille Espresso Machine, made by the Gaggia company itself, costs $540.
Manual espresso machines offer a similar amount of control over the process as steam-powered ones, but there is also a trade-off in consistency. It takes practice to learn to pull the level in just the right way every time, and different people will do it differently. This leads to variations in the strength and quality of the espresso produced. If you value the charm of old-world technology and don’t mind incorporating your morning coffee routine into your daily workout, then maybe it will be worth it to you.

Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines

The next innovation came with the replacement of the manual lever with an electric pump. The first semi-automatic espresso machines came onto the market in 1945, put out by FAEMA, a company headquartered in Milan, Italy that was founded by Carlo Ernesto Valante. They quickly became the preferred choice. Today, if you order espresso in a restaurant or café, chances are that it was made with a semi-automatic machine.
The term “semi-automatic” refers to the fact that, although the pressure itself is generated by an electric pump, the rest of the espresso-making process is still in human hands; you grind and tamp your own coffee grounds and adjust the water’s temperature and rate of flow. Therefore, semi-automatic espresso machines generally offer a good balance of control and ease of use, which explains their popularity. The 14101 Classic Espresso Machine by Gaggia is a good example of a high-quality semi-automatic espresso machine that will cost you less than $400.

Super-Automatic Espresso Machines

In recent years, “super-automatic” espresso machines have come onto the market. Unlike their automatic and semi-automatic predecessors, these espresso makers perform the entire procedure out of hands of human beings. The machines grind their own coffee beans in a built-in grinder, tamp them internally, and monitor the water’s temperature and flow rate via a computer. Some models even take water directly from a water line and dispose of used coffee grounds in a sealed container. They are sometimes referred to as “espresso centers” because every step of the process of making espresso is handled by them. The ESAM3500.N Magnifica Digital Super-Automatic Espresso Coffee Machine by DeLonghi is a good example, costing a little over $1,000.
While you do, of course, lose that personal touch by using super-automatic espresso machines, along with much of the ability to customize the shot to individual tastes, you get a fast, efficient way to make espresso, as well as consistency in the quality of the end product. If you’re a café owner who needs a way to produce a high-volume output without sacrificing quality, or if you’re a home brewer who doesn’t want to bother with learning the fine art of making espresso, then this might be the option for you.

Why having a Good Grinder is Important?

Many coffee lovers put most of their focus into the type of coffee beans and brewing machines for their daily brew, but place little emphasis on the grinder. You may have heard from many fellow coffee drinkers on how fresh ground espressos are much fresher and preserve flavor much better than pre-ground. Here at Wedge Espresso, We would definitely recommend grinding your own coffee beans for each brew to retain that wonderful fresh aroma every single time.

However, When it comes to grinding, do you know that choosing the right mill for your beans can bring your daily espresso to a whole new level? With such a wide range and different choices on the market, From Manual to Automatic and Ceramic to Steel blade. There are so many things to consider such as the consistency, granularity, temperature control, and of course noise level. With so many factors in mind, the selection process can often be intimidating for first time users.

Fret not! In this article, we will differentiate each categoriesof grinders and walk you through on how to select the best coffee grinders for your needs. You will be sipping away on your freshly grounded espresso in no time!

Ease of Use and Cleaning

Needless to say, regular cleaning and maintenance of your espresso machine will not only ensure that you always get the finest brew daily, it also significantly increases the lifespan of your machine. A dirty or poorly maintained espresso will not only induce unwelcomed flavors into your daily cuppa, it often result in technical problems that can cause damages to your machine, requiring you to spend additional money for repair. Money that’s much better-off spent on buying quality beans.

With some of these espresso makers looking like a time-machine in Dexter’s lab, the thought of removing parts from the machine can be daunting. That’s often one of the reasons why people end up purchasing their daily dose of caffeine from Starbucks. But is that bit of extra effort to clean and maintain your beloved espresso machine worth $4.50 a day? Or $1,642 a year? Definitely not! Cleaning and maintaining your espresso machine is actually much easier than you think. With a bit of practice, you will find that the process can as rewarding as your daily brewing routine.

Click here for a comprehensive step by step guide on How to properly clean and maintain your espresso Machine now.

Are capsules Espresso Machines worth the money?

If you have been walking around your local mall recently, you’ve probably seen one of these futuristic looking coffee machines, which are advertised to brew quality coffee in a ridiculously easy manner. All you have to do is pop a little capsule in, press a few buttons and the machine will dispense a serving of delicious gourmet coffee into your coffee cup in a metter of seconds! And make no mistakes, it doesn’t just produce black coffee. They are capable of mixing your favorite cappuccino, Mocha, Affogato..etc.. you name it, they would probably have it. The best part is each single capsule is only a fraction of the price of your daily coffee at the local hipster cafe. How revolutionary is that?!

But, how does it stack up against your traditional espresso maker where your coffee is freshly grounded from whole coffee beans, compared to pre vacuum packed into little disposable plastic capsules? Is it just another overhyped product marketed by giant coffee conglomerates to make more money out of everyday consumers? And most importantly, Should you choose the capsules coffee machine over the traditional espresso machines?

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